Hot tub covers are often made of polyester —sometimes oxford canvas or tear-resistant ripstop fabric—though vinyl is another option, which is typically less expensive. Both offer varying degrees of water-resistance or waterproofing, and generally those at the higher end offer better protection.
How do you make a homemade hot tub cover?
- STEP ONE: MEASURE YOUR SPA. You know what they say, measure twice, cut once. ...
- STEP TWO: CUT THE MATERIALS. Measure again before cutting, just to be sure. ...
- STEP THREE: WRAP THE FOAM IN HEAVY PLASTIC. ...
- STEP FOUR: GLUE THE FOAM TO THE WOOD BOARDS. ...
- STEP FIVE: PAINT THE WOOD AND INSTALL THE HINGE.
How do I make my own spa cover?
- STEP ONE: MEASURE YOUR SPA. You know what they say, measure twice, cut once. ...
- STEP TWO: CUT THE MATERIALS. Measure again before cutting, just to be sure. ...
- STEP THREE: WRAP THE FOAM IN HEAVY PLASTIC. ...
- STEP FOUR: GLUE THE FOAM TO THE WOOD BOARDS. ...
- STEP FIVE: PAINT THE WOOD AND INSTALL THE HINGE.
Can you use a tarp as a hot tub cover?
Don't cover your hot tub with a tarp !
Covering your hot tub with a tarp or other material can actually cause the inner foam of your hot tub cover to sweat and increase off-gassing of the cores. It will greatly retard the life of your cover, and it will be prone to losing much of its ability to retain heat.
How are spa covers made?
Hot tub covers are typically made from solid foam cores, sealed in plastic cases to avoid water absorption, and enclosed into vinyl covers . They are generally built to fold at a hinge point to aid in the removal process and are tapered in height from the center to the outside edge to aid in shedding water and snow.
Should a hot tub be covered?
A top quality spa, including every Hot Spring ® spa, will come with a cover that should be used whenever the hot tub isn't occupied. ... When your spa is left uncovered, heat escapes and its shell is exposed to the fading properties of the sun. So, it's wise to invest in a hot tub cover lifter .
Why is hot tub cover so heavy?
The simple answer is that the hot tub cover foam core becomes waterlogged over time . This water soaks the core and is what is responsible for most of the weight. When this happens, you hot tub cover will become very heavy and your cover will no longer be as effective at protecting your hot tub from the elements.
How long should a spa cover last?
On average, a hot tub or swim spa cover will need to be replaced every 5–7 years . While some covers are built to last much longer than others, any object that is subjected to the elements will eventually show signs of wear.
What is the best base to put a hot tub on?
Concrete Base
This tends to be a common approach for hot tubs becuase it offers strong support for the weight and also keeps the area nice and clean. Concrete is solid, not overly expensive and is quite easy to lay.
How much are covers for hot tubs?
A Standard hot tub cover cost is about $300 . The tapering of the cover allows rain, snow and debris to run off easily. A Standard hot tub cover or spa cover is best suited for an indoor application or a warm weather area.
Can I leave my hot tub cover off?
Not Keeping The Cover Off
Some owners add chemicals into their hot tub and immediately put their cover back on. However, to get the best results, you'll want to give your hot tub breathing room by leaving the cover off for at least 15 minutes after adding any chemicals .
Can I use Armor All on hot tub cover?
Do not use protectants that have petroleum or alcohol in them, like Armor-All, which will damage the vinyl on hot tub covers. ... Hot tub covers tend to sag after a few years of use and after water seeps into the inner core, which will happen over time.
How do I protect my spa from Sun?
Applying a quality UV vinyl protection to your hot tub cover three to four times a year will help protect it from the harmful effects of exposure to the sun. Pine, maple, birch, oak, elm, ash and willow trees are prone to drop sap, especially in early spring when the sap rises.
What type of foam is used in hot tub covers?
Expanded polystyrene (EPS), commonly known as polystyrene, is the standard filler material for hot tub covers because of its insulation capacity, rigidity, and resistance to moisture.
How much weight can you put on a hot tub cover?
Even though hot tub covers are designed to protect your spa, most are not capable of holding more than a few pounds. However, there are specially designed covers that can support up to 1,000 lbs , often called walk-on spa covers.
How thick should a hot tub cover be?
A standard cover thickness of 4” to 2” taper should do the job fairly well in most circumstances.
